Congratulations to Sanford High's Top 10

Thursday

May 22, 2014 at 3:15 AM

SANFORD — One thing's for sure. The world of science can expect new recruits this fall. Seven of the students who comprise Sanford High School's top ten for the Class of 2014 are intending to pursue biology, biochemistry, environmental studies, medical biology or molecular biology when they head to college at the end of the summer.

By Shawn P. SullivanSanford News Editor

SANFORD — One thing's for sure. The world of science can expect new recruits this fall.

Seven of the students who comprise Sanford High School's top ten for the Class of 2014 are intending to pursue biology, biochemistry, environmental studies, medical biology or molecular biology when they head to college at the end of the summer. The fields of business and mass communications, however, will be welcoming newcomers as well.

The Sanford News congratulates the following young men and women who studied hard, performed well and got involved in school and the community around them during their four years at SHS.

VALEDICTORIAN: GILLIAN MORRIS

Gillian Morris, the daughter of John and Margaret Morris, of Oak Ridge Road, is this year's top academic performer for Sanford High School's Class of 2014.

At various points throughout her four years at SHS, Morris participated in the French Club, the Math Team, the Drama Club, the Slam Poetry Club, for which she served as co-president, and the National Honor Society, for which she served as treasurer during her senior year.

Outside the halls of high school, Morris was a member of the Girl Scouts of America and a volunteer for WOW, a group that stands for “We're Open Wednesdays.”

This fall, Morris is off to Waterville to study biology at Colby College.

SALUTATORIAN: MARLEE SMITH

Marlee Smith, the daughter of Fred and Lisa Smith, of Myers Lane, will be studying biochemistry and then pediatric dentistry in the Pioneers STEM Honors Program at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham later this year.

Smith, who skipped the seventh grade to advance to the eighth, will bring with her an academic resume that includes participation in the Academic Decathlon and Upward Bound, membership in the high school's Homecoming Committee, Math Team, National Honor Society, Prom Committee and Student Council, and service as Class Secretary for the past three years and as manager of the boys; track and field team during the same period. She also was a member of the Civil Rights Team, the Future Educators of America, the Key Club, Peer Helpers, the Summer Police Academy and the MYAN Youth Leaders Alliance.

3. ZOE ROSS

Zoe Ross, the daughter of Tamber Burns, will delve into Environmental Studies at the University of Maine at Machias at the end of this summer. She has already gotten a head start with her major — she was a member of Sanford High School's Environmental Club during her freshman, sophomore and junior years.

Ross also belonged to the Interact Club during her high school career and served as a Peer Helper. She played softball for three years, as well.

Outside of school, she volunteered at the no-kill animal shelter in Wells and helped out at her church's bean suppers.

4. BENJAMIN MARTIN

Benjamin Martin, the son of Greg and Bernandette Martin, of Peck Road in Acton, will pursue pre-dental studies as a Medical Biology major at the University of New England in Biddeford this fall.

Martin blended athletics and community service during his four years at SHS. He ran cross-country and track during all four years and participated in the Civil Rights Club during that time too. He was a Peer Helper as a sophomore and a Key Club member as a junior.

5. AUDRIE LANGLOIS

Audrie Langlois, the daughter of Kevin and Joanne Langlois, of Bauneg Beg Road, will study biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, later this year.

Langlois played basketball, soccer and lacrosse during her SHS years, and competed on the school's track and field team as well. She served on the school's Prom Committee as a junior and joined the Key Club as a sophomore. As a Key Clubber, she contributed her time and energy to raise awareness for the Alzheimer's research and helped Waban.

Two seniors have tied for sixth place ...

6. TAYLOR PEPIN

Taylor Pepin, the daughter of Lynn Durost and Dean pepin, of Payeur Circle, is off to Orono in late August to study Environmental Engineering at the University of Maine.

She ran cross country and track during her later years at SHS and was a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, the Math Team and RSVP. She also served as a member of Strategies for a Stronger Sanford's Youth Council.

6. MISA MAI

Misa Mai, the daughter of Hung Mai and Truc Nguyen, of Main Street, will explore the world of biochemistry and molecular biology at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, this fall.

Mai was elected class president during her freshman, sophomore and senior years.

During her academic career at SHS, she played varsity tennis and served as the team's captain and was a member of the Key Club, for which she served as treasurer, the National Honor Society, for which she served as vice president, the Student Council, for which she served as secretary, the Math Team, the Civil Rights Team, the Environmental Club, Interact, the Leaders Club and the Concert Band.

Outside of SHS, she participated in Upward Bound and Young Life.

8. CASTINE KING

Castine King, the daughter of James and Krist King, of Oak Ridge Road, is bound for Worcester, Massachusetts, at the end of the summer to study Writing and Mass Communications at Assumption College.

At SHS, she was a member of RSVP, the Drama Club, the Art Club, the Spoken Word Club, for which she served as president as a senior, YAASA, the Key Club, the French Club and the Girls Empowerment Movement.

She volunteered 100 hours of her time working with children at Lafayette School who took part in the WOW program.

9. JOSHUA MORGAN

Joshua Morgan, the son of John and Melissa Morgan, studied residential wiring during his last two years of high school. In his top-ten profile, he did not indicate his future plans.

10. HANNAH KELLIS

Hannah Kellis, the daughter of Mark and Michele Kellis, of Fieldstone Lane, is heading west later this year to major in Business Administration and minor in Multimedia Design at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Kellis's peers twice elected her vice president of their class when they were freshmen and sophomores.

During her four years at SHS, she was a member of the Student Council, the Youth Group, the Math Team and the Key Club. She took dance classes, fostered kittens for the local animal shelter and went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

Sanford High School's Class of 2014 will graduate during the annual SHS commencement ceremony at Cobb Stadium, directly behind Sanford Junior High School on Main Street, on Friday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m.